Gujarat Rain fury
‘Orange alert’ has been issued for the state of Gujarat for the next 24 hours as Indian Metrological Department (IMD) predicts heavy to very heavy rainfall. Extreme heavy rainfall is predicted in the districts of Devbhumi Dwarka, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, and Valsad for the next 24 hours.
Two national highways, 10 state highways, and more than 300 rural roads were affected due to flooding.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah called Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel to enquire about the situation in Gujarat.
The major regions affected so far
The incessant rain has so far caused a flood-like situation in Gujarat south and Saurashtra region. Junagadh received 241 mm of rainfall in the 24-hour period ending at 6 a.m. on Sunday. This caused waterlogging in several parts, causing damage to cars and cattles too got swept away.
As the rain stopped on Sunday and the water receded rescue efforts began. The State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) began working on restoring normalcy. Many people in low-lying areas in Junagadh were shifted to safer places as a precautionary measure. Work was underway to restore electricity and food packets were provided to people.
Several videos of waterlogging at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport in Ahmedabad went viral on the internet. The authorities blamed torrential rainfall on July 22 as a reason for waterlogging. Terminal 4 of the airport experienced major waterlogging. Civic authorities of the city blamed the airport authority for the same. The statement said “Since Adani Group, after it took over the airport, has laid its own stormwater and drainage system, there might be some issues. A lot of development and civil works are ongoing at the airport. The concrete and other materials (from the work) might have choked the pipes, too,” an AMC senior official told the Indian Express.
Another video went viral showing a lion casually strolling on a flyover in Gujrat’s JunagadhVisuals of many residential areas being waterlogged in Rajkot were all over the internet. Till now one person has died in flash floods in Junagadh while thousands have been left homeless. The data maintained by State Emergency Operation Centre stated that Navsari and Junagadh districts recorded an average of 179 mm and 121 mm of rain, respectively in the 24 hours till 6 am on Sunday.
